Professor Omolewa was appointed Ambassador and Permanent Delegate
of Nigeria to UNESCO in January 2000. Before his appointment, he
served as Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of
Ibadan, Nigeria's oldest University, from 1985 to 1987. He was
Chairman of the Committee of Deans of Education of Nigerian
Universities from 1986 to 1987. Subsequently, from 1987 to 1990, he
served as Head of Nigeria's oldest Department of Adult Education;
and was reappointed to a Second Term from 1994 to 1997. During his
tenure, the Adult Education Department was awarded the UNESCO
International Reading Association Literacy prize in 1989.

In 1994, Professor Omolewa became a Member of the Nigerian National
Commission for UNESCO, and the Commissions Chairman of the
Education Sector. He was a Consultant on Educational issues to the British
Council, USAID, UNICEF, World Bank and UNESCO.

Professor Omolewa attended the University of Ibadan where he read
History. At the University of Dakar, Senegal, he was introduced to
the study of the French language. He also attended Institute of
Historical Research, University of London. And was a Commonwealth
Academic Staff Fellow at King's College, University of London from
1975 to 1976; as well as a recipient of the South-North Education
Award from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC):
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. He was editorial
assistant to Professor J.F Ade-Ajayi, during the preparation of
Volume 6 of the UNESCO General History of Africa. Professor Omolewa
is on the Editorial Board of several leading Journals in Education;
including the International Journal of Lifelong Education. He also
sits on the Vancouver, British Columbia based Commonwealth of
Learning Board of Governors. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is
an intergovernmental organisation created by Commonwealth Heads of
Government to encourage the development of open learning and
distance education, through the fostering and sharing of knowledge,
resources and technologies.

Ambassador Omolewa has, over the years, led a distinguished academic
and administrative career, focused mainly on the development of adult
education both in Nigeria, at the country’s leading universities and
various state education authorities, as well as in the international
arena.

Professor Omolewa has served on UNESCO’s Executive Board since 1999. He
is also the Vice-President of UNESCO’s International Bureau of Education
(Geneva, Switzerland), a member of the Executive Board of the International
Standing Conference on the History of Education (ISCHE) and a member of the
Government Advisory Council of the International Baccalaureate Organization
(IBO). He is on the editorial boards of several leading education journals,
including the International Journal of Higher Education, and has served as
a consultant to numerous international aid agencies.

On 29 September 2003, Professor Omolewa, as Ambassador and Permanent Delegate
of Nigeria to UNESCO became the first West African to be elected President
of the General Conference of UNESCO for the following two years. During his
service as the 32nd Session President of UNESCO General Conference,
Ambassador Omolewa saw to light beneficial events, programmes and
projects. He also travelled extensively to many countries around
the world - in service to humanity - within UNESCO's mandate.

Interestingly, November 2005 saw Professor Omolewa honoured by the Chinese.
At Yifu building in Beijing, the Beijing Foreign Studies University awarded
the distinguished scholar and diplomat Honorary Professorship in
International Studies.

In April 2006, the Berlin, Germany based international book publisher:
Springer - released a book in honour of Professor Omolewa. The book,
edited by Akpovire Oduaran and Harbans S. Bhola, is titled: "Widening
Access to Education as Social Justice: Essays in Honor of Michael
Omolewa.

Also, on 2 November, 2006 in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Professor Omolewa
was amongst seven distinguished ladies and gentlemen from around the
world who got the prestigious Excellence in Distance Education Awards
[EDEA] given every two years by the Vancouver, British Columbia:
Canada based Commonwealth of Learning [COL]. This worthy recognition
confers on the awardee the title of: Honorary Fellow of the
Commonwealth of Learning. The award ceremony was held during the
4th Pan Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning.

On Tuesday 19 December, 2006, Professor Omolewa gave a farewell
lecture to the University of Ibadan, Nigeria community. His
extensive discourse was titled: "Let us Pass on to the Other
Side: The Mission of Adult Education." Professor Omolewa, who
was retiring from the University of Ibadan, saw it as an
opportunity to step on-to another stage in his life - so as
to continue serving humankind for the better - to GOD
Almighty's glory.

Notably, Thursday 21 December, 2006 dawned as the day Professor
Omolewa got a National Honour from the Federal Government of
Nigeria for his distinguished service to the people of his
beloved country and humankind globally: Ambassador Omolewa
was awarded Officer of the Order of the Niger [OON].
Nigeria's President Matthew Olusegun Obasanjo presented the
OON Award to Professor Omolewa. Below is a picture of
President Obasanjo and Professor Omolewa during the Award
ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria:

History + Brief Resume of Officials

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